Derwen College (Independent Special School: Section 41 List)

About

This is an independent special school, which is not run by the NHS or WSCC.
This service is not checked by WSCC and including it on the Local Offer website does not mean that it is a recommended service.
Find out more on our Terms and disclaimer.

This school is part of the list of independent schools for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, which have been approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act.
Find out more about Independent Special Schools and access the entire 'Section 41' list from the Local Offer website.
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Derwen College delivers exceptional programmes within a rich learning environment. Students who attend Derwen are aged from 16 to 25 years and have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) including:

• Learning and physical disabilities
• Autism
• Behaviours of concern
• Moderate, Severe, Complex or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities

We offer residential placements at our main campus in Gobowen, near Oswestry in North Shropshire, and also have day placements at Gobowen, Ludlow, Telford and Walford.

Learning Programmes at Derwen include:
• Vocational Study Programmes, which are delivered through our Learning Pathways at each of our four sites.
• Learning for Life, which is a fun bespoke programme available for those students who need a bit of extra support before progressing on to a vocational pathway.
• Nurture is our programme for students with complex and / or profound and multiple learning disabilities and is available at our Gobowen site.
• Springboard is a non-educational route that gives further access to work experience opportunities and support to improve independence skills.
• Supported Internships are available for anyone living locally who have completed a vocational study programme.

Vocational pathways

Depending on the location, we have the following vocational pathways available.
• Hospitality and Food
• Horticulture
• Performing Arts
• Retail and Enterprise
• Work and Independence
These have been developed to prepare students for the work place.

Our accessible learning environments are designed and operated to industry standards. Students gain authentic work experience in our public-facing commercial outlets, including:
• Garden centre and gift shop
• Walled Garden Café
• Station Café
• The Vintage Advantage charity shop
• The Orangery restaurant
• and our very own hotel!

We are also proud to offer our students a well-established network of high-quality employer partners in the wider community. We work closely with each of them to provide tailored and relevant work placements. Students are encouraged to choose one main and one secondary pathway, but they don’t have to. We work with every student to build a programme bespoke to them that fits their needs and interests.

Learning for Life pathway

The Life Skills / Preparation for Work pathway is designed for students not yet ready for a full-time vocational pathway. Students gain the necessary skills that support all aspects of life. This could be additional support with communication, personal development, interaction, team-work and problem solving, or self-regulation. The pathway is personalised and tailored to meet each young person’s specific needs.

Nurture Programme

Nurture Programme is a bespoke Life Skills and Sensory programme, offering day and residential provision for students with Complex and / or Profound and Multiple Disabilities.

What else will can students learn?

Alongside each pathway, we will work with you students to develop an individualised programme, which will include:

• Functional Skills (English, maths and ICT)
• Employability Skills
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
• Independence Skills development including travel training to increase your potential to live independently once students have graduated from college.

What else can students get involved with?

Many students discover new interests at college – we have lots of options to explore, including:
• Access to our renowned Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at Bronze, Silver and Gold level, at its dedicated base on campus
• Our extensive sports programme taking full advantage of our fantastic facilities and location, e.g. canoeing, football, swimming, boccia, dance, cycling, tennis, gym, running, yoga, basketball and more.
• Wellbeing clubs such as gardening; indoor cricket; drama; dance and music; craft; pray and praise; forest skills; photography; chill-out sessions; acts of kindness; and bee-keeping
• Trips, such as horse riding, theatre, museums, shopping
• Students have wraparound support, e.g. Personal Tutor, Key Worker.

Learner Voice

Learner Voice at Derwen College is very strong and student views influence everything that we do. We have a thriving Student Union (SU). The SU Board is very active across the college and beyond, helping to drive forward change for people with SEND. Students participate in the NATSPEC parliament twice a year, in which they work with other SEND specialist colleges from around the Country to highlight issues specific to them.

In 2021 we worked on the rights of people with disabilities, and received a letter of thanks from the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson, for our contribution to the National Disability Survey, which was collated during the Parliament session.

Therapy

An extensive range of therapies and wellbeing support is available including: Positive Behaviour Support; speech and language therapy; occupational therapy; counselling; and physiotherapy and Learning Disability Nurses.

Our team uses the universal, targeted and specialist model to deliver a service which is based on individual need. Many of our therapy services are integrated across all aspects of college life including care, work and the social settings, to ensure student needs are met.

Individual therapy sessions, e.g. hydrotherapy, are also available dependent upon funding.

Students can join in wellbeing sessions of their choice – such as mindfulness, relaxation and Lego therapy.

What we do

• Derwen College has four sites in Shropshire offering residential and day provision to young people aged 16-25, with SEND, who come from all over the UK. At Derwen College, we believe that students develop their independence and employability skills best when they work on them in a real environment.
• Derwen College also offers Short Breaks holiday provision for young adults aged 18 upwards to enjoy a break. Guests can take part in a range of activities and trips, as well as making use of the campus facilities. Short breaks are available year round apart from two weeks closure at Christmas.
• Costings: Please contact Derwen College directly to find out more about costings for placements.
• Dates and Times: Derwen College operates termly, over 37 weeks of a year, offering day and residential placements.
• Referrals: Derwen College accepts referrals direct from a young person, their parent or carer, or via supporting professionals. Applications are welcomed from young people across the United Kingdom. Please complete an Admissions Enquiry Form, links to which can be found on the Admissions pages of the website.

Age range

16-25

Wheelchair accessible

Yes

Free to use

No

Requires application

Yes